Chapter 9
Over the next three months Isabella’s heart grew fonder of Gary with every passing minute. She missed him dearly, and when he finally came home for a two week break she squealed, clapped, danced, jumped, and squeezed him. Even though Gary had been gone for nearly twelve weeks, they were growing closer as a couple. His touch was burning for her. Her lips were passionately awaiting for the taste of him. So why was she still afraid of getting hurt?
He could see it in her eyes, feel it in her touch. He loved her, and he wanted to show her badly how much he did. So, Gary decided to take Isabella away for the weekend, just the two of them. It was his special place, and he hoped she would love it just as much as he did.
“Babe, why can’t you tell me where we’re going?” Isabella squealed in delight upon hearing he was taking her away for the weekend.
“I can’t tell you, my sun flower. Now come here.” He could feel her smile press against his lips.
Like a bandit in a bad old western movie, Gary tied a blind-fold around her eyes.
“You’re just going to have to trust me.” He laughed as she stumbled to playfully smack at him.
On the way there, Isabella could smell the sweet country grass. She fumbled with the button panel on the door until she could feel wind against her face. The wind was cool and rapid, making her hair whip all around her. By the way the car was groaning she could tell they were going up hill. It jumped along what seemed to be a rocky road. She closed her eyes under the blind-fold and tried to guess where they were headed.
“So, what’s such a secret?” Isabella asked curiously ending her frustration with guessing where he could possibly be taking her.
“You’ll see when we get there.” Gary whipped the car around and stopped; she hoped they were here already. Curiosity killed the cat.
“Can I take this off now?” Isabella asked like a child on Christmas eve looking at the presents underneath the brightly lit Christmas tree.
“We’re here, but you can’t take your blind-fold off yet.” Gary got out of the car and walked around to open Isabella’s car door.
He lead her up to the front porch. She felt rocks grinding at the bottoms of her shoes. She could smell fresh, unpolluted air. She could sense serenity. As Gary brushed his arms around her, she closed her eyes tightly. The sun light shocked her sensitive eyes. She squinted up. What was this place?
“Gary, this cabin is beautiful.” She looked at him with expecting eyes.
“This is my cabin I’ve been telling you about. You always said you would like to come up here, just the two of us; well here we are. I told the diner you were taking the weekend off. We can just… ya know… relax.” Gary smiled as Isabella’s mouth dropped, and her eyes grew to the size of saucers.
This could not be his? It’s gigantic. Why wouldn’t he just live here? She looked back up at him and smiled, closing her mouth. She could get use to this.
While Gary was taking their suitcases up to their room, Isabella took a little tour around the wooden cabin. All nine rooms of the house were completely furnished, but looked untouched. It was like something out of a magazine. Perfect.
Both of the front and back porches were complete with rocking chairs and swings that hung from the roof. Out back there was a path that lead to his dock and branched off to the woods.
It blew her away. She had never seen anything like this before. Going back inside she smiled; Gary was sitting on the couch with his feet on the coffee table relaxing. He could feel her eyes burning a hole into him, so he opened his eyes and smiled.
“Come join me.” Gary patted the couch cushion beside of him.
Isabella walked over to the couch and sat next to Gary. She slowly ran her fingers through Gary’s spiked hair. She could feel the gel smooth away. Nothing needed to be said, it was just perfect. Gary looked down into her beautiful blue eyes and leaned in to kiss her. The kiss was long and slow. When they pulled apart Isabella was smiling from ear to ear. She laid her head on his chest and closed her eyes.
They took a nap all afternoon. When she woke up, Isabella opened her eyes, and saw a handsome man snoring beside her. She carefully lifted his arm off of her shoulders and slipped away. It was time for an adventure; so down the path she went.
It didn’t take Gary long to notice that he was sleeping alone. He cranked open an eye and looked around; she was no where. He rubbed his eyes and sat up straight. Her scent still lingered on his shirt. He took a long deep sniff of her sweet scent mixed with perfume bought from Victoria Secrets. He could follow that scent any where.
***
It was so beautiful outside. The sun was out, and there wasn’t a cloud in sight. Isabella had picked a perfect time to go walking, because the sun was just starting to go down, and the sky was turning different colors of purple and orange. She stood and watched the sky swirl and puff in bright colors.
She couldn’t turn away; it was gorgeous. She jumped a bit when she felt someone hug her waist. When he rested his head on her shoulder she knew who it was. No need to turn around.
“So, did you miss me?” Isabella laughed as she turned around and kissed him.
“Hum, yes I did.” Gary held her hand as they walked further down the gravel path.
In each others company nothing was said. They walked the path hand in hand in silence. This is what Gary had always wanted. Some one he could have by his side and just enjoy their company with out any distractions. Nothing was needed when he was with her. Nothing materialistic, like money or fancy expensive things, would make him happy. His hungry was purely for her, and her only.
In Gary’s world, life was perfect, but he knew Isabella was still afraid to get hurt, afraid he would leave her. All the promises in the world wouldn‘t satisfy her, and he knew that. He had to do something special, be the only one who has loved her like this. He knew it was too early to hand out an engagement ring; even though his heart told him she was the only, so he had something else in mind.
***
Later that night, Gary packed a picnic for them and set it up at the end of the path in the woods. He did this quick and cautious so Isabella wouldn’t catch him. When he went back to the cabin Isabella was in the kitchen.
“Come on babe, I have something to show you.” Gary whisked her away and into the darkness.
She said nothing as he lead her down the path in the muggy air. Her eyes widened in surprise as Gary slowed his pace and turned to face her. With tear filled eyes her mouth hung open.
Why would he do this just for me? He could have any other girl in this entire world, why did he choose me? He is so romantic and sweet. What would I do without him?
“You did all of this just for me?” Isabella asked chocking out the words.
“Of course, Belle, you deserve it.” Gary leaned over and lit some candles that were scattered around the blanket on the ground.
Gary pulled her down with him as he sat on the blanket. He wrapped his arm around her waist, and kissed the top of her head. Belle sighed as she let out a few tears.
I hope this wasn’t too much. I need her to want this too. What if she runs away from me? What if I’m squashing her? Making her feel claustrophobic?
“Honey, what’s wrong?” Gary asked wondering if all of this was just too much.
“Oh, no, it’s perfect. I just… I’m not use to being treated this way. So nice, like I’m so special.” She leaned into his side.
“Well, you’re a princess, and you deserve to be treated like one. Belle, I love you” Gary kissed the top of her head and pulled out a black velvet box.
“Gary what is that?” She asked hoping it wasn’t a ring.
“Well, open it and find out.” Gary handed her the box.
She trembled as she took the box. Closing her eyes, just for a second, she sent a prayer to the heavens that he wasn’t purposing. She just wasn’t ready for that, and she would never want to hurt him, not like that.
Opening her eyes again she felt the soft box tumble in her hands. She was shaking so much that the box had dropped to the ground.
“Gosh, I’m so clumsy,” She whispered to herself as she picked up the box.
It was now or never, she finally dug down deep from her heart and opened it.
